Glass Weight Calculator
Work out how heavy a glass panel, mirror, shelf or table top is before you lift it. Enter the size in millimetres and the thickness, and the calculator shows the area and the weight of each piece and of the whole order.
How glass weight is worked out
Standard float glass weighs about 2.5kg per square metre for every millimetre of thickness, because glass has a density of about 2,500kg per cubic metre. So:
Weight (kg) = width (m) × length (m) × thickness (mm) × 2.5
For example, a 6mm panel 900 × 1800mm is 0.9 × 1.8 × 6 × 2.5 = 24.3kg. Toughening does not change the weight. Mirror weighs the same as clear glass of the same thickness, and low iron, tinted, frosted and patterned glass are all within a few per cent of it. Laminated glass is very slightly lighter than the same total thickness of solid glass, because the plastic interlayer is lighter than glass; the calculator treats it as glass, which errs on the safe side.
Glass weight per square metre
| Thickness | Weight per m² | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4mm | 10kg | Picture frames, small window panes, cabinet doors |
| 5mm | 12.5kg | Window panes, cabinet doors, mirrors |
| 6mm | 15kg | Shelves, door inserts, table protectors, mirrors |
| 8mm | 20kg | Larger shelves and table protectors |
| 10mm | 25kg | Table tops, frameless shower screens |
| 12mm | 30kg | Large table tops, shower screens, balustrades |
| 15mm | 37.5kg | Structural panels, heavy table tops |
| 19mm | 47.5kg | Structural glass, large feature panels |
| 6.38mm laminated | about 16kg | Safety glazing, windows |
| 10.38mm laminated | about 26kg | Balustrades, overhead and security glazing |
Lifting and fixing heavy glass
- Plan the lift. As a rough guide, one person can manage a panel up to about 20kg if it is a comfortable size; between 20kg and 50kg, use two people; over 50kg, use three or more people or glass suction lifters. Large thin panels are awkward even when they are light, so carry them on edge, never flat.
- Check the fixings. Mirror adhesive, clips, shelf brackets and hinges all have a weight rating. Use the weight from the calculator and pick fixings rated above it.
- Store it on edge. Lean glass slightly against a wall on a soft surface, never lay it flat on a hard floor, and protect the corners. See handling and storing glass.
Common questions
How heavy is a 6mm glass shelf?
A 6mm shelf 300 × 900mm is 0.27m², so about 4kg. A 10mm shelf the same size is about 6.75kg.
How heavy is a glass table top?
A 10mm top 900 × 1800mm weighs about 40.5kg, and a 10mm round top 1000mm across weighs about 19.6kg. A 6mm protector for a 900 × 1800mm table is about 24.3kg.
How heavy is a large mirror?
A 6mm mirror 1000 × 2000mm weighs about 30kg, and a 5mm mirror 900 × 1200mm about 13.5kg.
Which thickness do I need?
See our glass thickness guide, or what thickness glass for shelves.
Order glass cut to size
Know the size? Enter it on any product page for an instant price, with delivery across Melbourne, inner Geelong and Sydney included: clear glass, mirrors, low iron glass or laminated glass.